Lakeside Units Assist Alpine on Vehicle Rescue

Peutz Valley-

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 5:25 p.m. the Heartland Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reference a vehicle that while traveling on westbound Interstate 8 had left the freeway near Peutz Valley. A full vehicle rescue assignment was dispatched which sent two structural engines, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a duty chief to the incident.

Lakeside Fire crews stabilize the vehicle and then begin the task of extrication.

Crew members get close enough to the victim so initial medical care and be administered.

While en-route to the incident, responding units were updated that an off-duty tow truck driver was at the vehicle and it was accessible from the 400 block of Peutz Valley Rd. He also informed the dispatch center that there were multiple victims and some had suffered serious injuries. Based on the updated information, additional resources were assigned to the incident.

On the arrival of Engine 17 (Alpine Fire), firefighters located a vehicle that had left the freeway and had rolled down a 100-foot embankment. Prior to the arrival of fire units, bystanders had removed a two year old child and were rendering assistance to the toddler. But crews quickly discovered a front passenger that was trapped and a driver that was unresponsive.

With the victim out paramedics quickly start the task of administering advanced life support.

With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 26 (Blossom Valley Station), firefighters went to work on the trapped occupants. Due to the vehicle position and the major damage it had sustained, it was determined that this would be an extended operation with a number of complex situations that firefighters would need to address. 

Crews removed the passenger who was then was quickly loaded into Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and driven to a nearby landing zone to meet with Mercy Air 6. The victim was flown to a local trauma center.

Unfortunately, crews quickly discovered the driver had succumbed to her injuries. Crews continued with the task of body recovery.

A total of 9 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident. CHP is currently investigating the incident.

Submitted By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire District.   

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